Youths dig in with Give and Grow

You’re never the wrong age to plan ahead for your own project to assist others.

It’s never too late or too early to help others. By making Gleaner Life’s Give and Grow part of their plan, youth members are discovering they’re old enough to make an impact in their communities, and even around the world.

Reyna Matzke was one of several teens and preteens who completed Give and Grow projects in 2022. Her seed-packaging project in November helped her grandparents who are agricultural missionaries with Day 3 Seeds, an agricultural program. Reyna had asked her grandfather how she could help.

Reyna and Travis Matzke of Bradenton, Florida, completed a 2020 project that supplied red noodle bean seeds.

(Submitted photo)

The Matzkes and Reyna’s grandparents have supported the work of Pastor Raymond Kaija in Uganda. The Seeds for Souls East Africa organization uses seeds in its Widow Seed program. It helps widows earn a small income by growing seed-saving crops. The seed crops of Meta Tomato and Chummy Okra needed to be further shelled, cleaned, packed into seed packets, and sent to Uganda.

The Rev. Kaija (kneeling) and the Rev. Okello pose with the Chummy Okra. This variety is of interest because it will grow compact, ideal for the Refugee Seed program.

(Submitted photo)

The Gleaner grant purchased seed packets, labels, and shipping. “I prepared vegetable seed packets by putting a label on the packet and a level spoon of seeds,” Reyna reported. “It was cool to know that my time had an impact across the globe.”

The idea of using Give and Grow to fund and promote her project came from her mother, Bethany Matzke. “I work for Joseph Wietecha, a Gleaner representative in Bradenton, Florida,” Bethany explained. “That is where I learned about the Just for Kids® life insurance and Family Days. I have enjoyed listening to clients who have benefited from Gleaner.” A similar project in 2020 helped the family send out red noodle bean seeds with the help of some of their children’s school friends.

The projects also have had an impact with the Matzke family. “We worked on this program as a family too,” Bethany reported. “It was fun to bond through the service project. It has been interesting to discover how Reyna’s free time here, empowered by Gleaner’s Give and Grow grant, produced a tangible connection to people to Uganda.”

The project was chosen as 2022’s fourth quarter bonus winner, which Bethany said will assist more people. “That means more garden crops and seeds!”

Evan Rector helped a church food bank meet needs in New Concord, Ohio.

(Submitted photo)

Two other 2022 Give and Grow recipients were brothers Evan and Chase Rector, who both attend school in New Concord, Ohio. Although a college town, New Concord also is in rural Appalachia. Many families there face food insecurity. Evan Rector’s project helped provide food for the food pantry at College Drive Presbyterian Church. Lead Pastor Keith Taylor notes that the church food pantry serves nearly 85 families, a significant number for the village’s size.

Supplies to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank have been lower than usual so Evan, a sophomore at John Glenn High School, was led to use Give and Grow funds to buy groceries and donate them to the church pantry. Evan’s mother Tracy notes that while grocery shopping with teens is always an interesting adventure, Evan learned a bit about how far money stretches on food these days with inflated prices.

Chase Rector (left), with head coach Rob Ellison, helped make it possible for other students to compete in local archery shoots.

(Submitted photo)

Chase Rector, meanwhile, used a $250 Gleaner Gives award to help his middle school’s archery team defray registration fees for other students to attend local fun shoots. These are opportunities for young archers to gain experience in competition, but some could not afford the fees. The grant was used by the Archery Boosters to cover registration fees for some of their 60 archers in the winter-spring events. “Having opportunities to serve in different ways is great for teens and we are thankful that Gleaner provides programs such as Give & Grow to help my boys shape a service-minded approach as they get closer to adulthood,” their mother added. “Plus, my kids can opt to do a project each year and may try different things to make an impact.”

Drew Chang purchased snacks and treats to help facilitate a three-day teachers training seminar.

(Submitted photo)

Another great project was completed by Drew Chang. He worked with his mother to encourage and assist district elementary school teachers with sessions held over three days. Each day was devoted to helping different grades with the heavy issues facing teachers including writing instruction, students’ social-emotional needs, and assessments. To make the sessions better, Drew’s project provided snacks and drinks throughout the three days. There also was candy on each table. “They were SO excited about all of the treats, and it helped our work on these days to be productive, positive, and efficient,” his mother Laura reported.

Gleaner Life makes it easy for benefit members of any age to help others. Applicants who are awarded a viable Give and Grow service project grant are then placed into a quarterly drawing during the quarter of their project to become eligible for a $1,000 bonus to the charity of their choice. Plan at least six weeks ahead and apply at www.gleanerlife.org/giveandgrow, or call 800.992.1894.

Did you find the wheat stalk?

In this issue of Forum Magazine, the wheat stalk is hidden on Page 21 in the second Caro Arbor photo.